Free Demon's Pass by Ralph Compton Page B

present. Willow Branch and Morning Flower are not worthy to be your friends. Do not waste your time with them. They are my enemies as well.”
    As Elizabeth and Moon Cow Woman walked through the village, Elizabeth looked around, curious to see what was to be her home. Since the council had broken up, things had returned to normal. Women were at work again, and the men had returned to their horses, or had retired to groups where they sat in circles, telling stories and talking. Children ran free, tolerated by their elders as they darted in and out of hogans and teepees without regard to who lived where, laughing and shouting as children do everywhere.
    â€œI am curious. If you do not get along with Two Ponies’ other two wives, how do you all live together?”
    â€œWe do not live together,” Moon Cow Woman replied. “Each wife has her own teepee, as you must.”
    â€œWhat?” Elizabeth asked. “You mean I have to build a teepee? Why, I wouldn’t have the slightest idea of where to start.”
    â€œI will help you,” Moon Cow Woman said. The other two wives of Two Ponies appeared then. They were considerably younger-looking than Moon Cow Woman, but both were just as plump. It became very obvious to Elizabeth at that moment that being the wife of a chief meant that at least you didn’t go hungry.
    Moon Cow Woman and the other wives began speaking, but Elizabeth couldn’t understand what they were saying.
    â€œLook, Willow Branch,” Morning Flower said. “Moon Cow Woman has become the slave of Sun’s Light.”
    â€œYes, see how she helps Sun’s Light,” Willow Branch replied, putting the same contemptuous sneer in her voice as had been in Morning Flower’s insult. “Perhaps she will also hold on to Two Ponies’ penis, to help him mount her.”
    â€œAs you hold on to the penis of a dog to help him mount your sister?” Moon Cow Woman replied.
    â€œYou speak with the tongue of the first wife now, old woman. But soon Two Ponies will tire of you and he will stop coming to your lodge. Then you will beg for scraps, and if I feel kindly toward you, I may feed you along with the dogs of the camp,” Willow Branch said.
    â€œI have no fear that I will be discarded,” Moon Cow Woman said. “You have the fear, or you would not make a vow to be the enemy of Sun’s Light.”
    â€œYou will see,” Willow Branch replied. “It is not only we who shall be the enemy of Sun’s Light. Soon, many others will be her enemy as well, for they will learn that the word of a white woman is not to be trusted.”
    Elizabeth had no idea what Willow Branch and Morning Flower were saying . . . but from the tone of their voices and the looks on their faces, she figured she was just as well off not knowing.
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    Independence
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    Clay and Parker were discussing Demon’s Pass.
    â€œIt’s a difficult decision to make because once we start through it, we have no choice but to go on,” Clay said. “If we turn back, that means giving up any chance of reaching Salt Lake City this year. We could wind up bankrupt.”
    â€œWhatever you decide is fine with me,” Parker said.
    â€œNo, that’s not right,” Clay replied. “You are a full partner in this operation, Parker. You have as much to lose as I do. It’s a decision we are going to have to make together.”
    â€œI appreciate that you call me a full partner,” Parker said. “But we both know that this whole thing is your idea, so whatever you decide is what we will do. But, if you must have my opinion, I think we should try the cutoff. How bad can it be, if it saves three hundred miles?”
    â€œI appreciate your support, Parker,” Clay said, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “All right, let me think about it. I’ll come up with something before the final decision has to be made.”
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